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The Israeli Psychoanalytic Interdisciplinary Forum for the Study of Autistic Spectrum Disorder integrates psychoanalysis with interdisciplinary research to better understand and treat autism. The Forum brings together education and professionals – including neurologists, psychologists, and psychiatrists – to collaborate and create holistic therapeutic approaches. Charles W. Dithrich, PhD, follows the Forum’s research and its impact on treating autism. Dr. Dithrich is a psychoanalyst and clinical psychologist in Northern California with more than 40 years of experience, including specialization in treating individuals with neuroatypical, neurodivergent, and autistic conditions.
The Forum’s research on autism has impacted the current psychoanalytic understanding and treatment of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and neurodivergence. It has changed how organizations such as the Vista Autism Center in Los Angeles treat ASD individuals. There has been a shift from viewing ASD, autism, and neurodivergence as pathology or a disease to a condition with unique non-pathological aspects, explains Charles W. Dithrich.
According to the Forum’s research, autism has a different operating system, much like the difference between Microsoft and Apple. Each ASD individual has a unique neurological and psychological structure (or operating system), which differs from “neurotypical” populations. “Neurotypical” refers to people with brains that function similarly to most of their peers. It’s critical to note these differences and recognize that neurotypically based expectations are unnecessary and potentially harmful, according to Dr. Charles W. Dithrich, PhD.
Reframing the Approach to Autism: A Move to Specialized Psychotherapeutic Treatment
There is a movement away from the use of behavioral modification and medication to specialized psychotherapeutic approaches for ASD children and their parents and schools. The focus is prioritizing and understanding a child’s subjective experience and creating a safe space for self-expression and emotional processing. The idea, Charles W. Dithrich explains, based on the Forum’s research, is to connect with autistic children on their level to reduce anxiety, which can come from various factors, including environment, genetics, and traumatic events. When you lower anxiety, you can remove the barrier to learning. It also involves recognizing and championing the unusual gifts and abilities that many ASD individuals have with mathematics, music, art, and athletics.
The approach the Vista Autism Center in Los Angeles uses in autism treatment involves intensive psychodynamic therapy where children receive three weekly therapy sessions, providing a stable and continuous setting to explore their emotions and experiences. Regular consultations with parents help ensure they are actively engaged in their child’s therapeutic journey. Therapists collaborate with other specialists to create optimal learning and living environments, tailoring interventions to each child’s needs.
As attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are often associated with ASD, Dr. Dithrich feels that the latest psychological and psychoanalytic approaches would be beneficial to understanding and treating these disorders as well.
In addition to his practice, Dr. Dithrich has taught courses on development and psychotherapeutic techniques at various institutions, including the Professional School of Psychology, Boyer Research Institute, and The Psychotherapy Institute. He has also taught various topics and discussed numerous papers for several professional organizations, including the Northern California Society for Psychoanalytic Psychology (NCSPP).